Okay, here’s my “wish.” I wish I could learn a valuable life lesson once and never have to face the consequences of it in the future. Unfortunately, my life doesn’t seem to work that way. Perhaps you can relate to me. For instance, I make a “boneheaded” mistake, realize what I did wrong, and then resolve never to repeat it. However, the next day, I find myself making the exact same mistake. Sometimes, it’s even the next hour. Why is that?
The answer is found in the tension between our new life in Christ and our old human nature. Paul admitted that he struggled with the same scenario. Romans 7:15-25 – “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”Even though we’re redeemed, the habits, patterns, and reflexes of our old self still pull at us. Salvation changes our position before God immediately, but the transformation of our desires and habits takes time and surrender.
This pattern in our lives continues ultimately because sin is powerful, but remember, it’s not permanent. Romans 6:12 says, “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”
Ultimately, remember this: the day-to-day battle is won through surrender and not through willpower. Trying harder doesn’t change our heart; surrender does. Galatians 5:16 gives the key: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”